Butane tank



Jan. 30, A1940. f J, R, HQLlCER 2,188,597

BUTANE TANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1940. R, HQL|CER 2,188,597

BUTANE TANK l Filed May 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 30, 19.40

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a butane tank. It is an objectiof the invention to provide a tank of the character described which is de' signed to be buried in the ground and which is 5 provided with' an upstanding dome having a coverthereon for supporting the pipe and valve assembly and of such construction that the valves controlling the inlet of the liquid into the tank and the outflow of the liquid or gas from the l tank will be completely enclosed within the dome so that said valves and connections will not be liable to become broken or injured from outside violence.

It is another object of the invention to pro 15 vide a tank of the character described wherein the valves and connections referred to may be assembled as a unit with the dome cover and bodily assembled with, or removed from, the dome.

20. It is another objectof the invention to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein the outlet controlling apparatus for the gas is so located that the outflow of the gas will be cut off in case of breakage of the outside connections to the end that the gas will not be permitted to escape and waste.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of' construction, arrangement of parts and use, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a fragmentary, side elevation of the apparatus, partly in section.

vFigure 2 shows a plan view of the dome cover.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a safety valve employed.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of an excess fiow check valve employed.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of anothe type of excess iiow check valve, and

Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the complete apparatus as assembled, partly broken away.

Referring' now more particularly to' the drawings wherein like numerals ofl references designate thev same parts in each of the figures, the numeral I` designates a tank'which is preferably disposed horizontal and underneath the ground surface. This tank is formed of' suitableisheet metal and upstanding from it there is the dome 2 to the upper end of which the external flange 3 is secured in any preferred manner. Bolted on to this ange' there is the plate-like dome cover `4. The numeral 5 designates the ller line which is anchored to and depends from the cover 4 and whose upper end is normally closed by a removable 'plug 6. Attached to the lower end of the line 5 and enclosed within the dome is the ller valve 1.l The numeral 8 designates the relief line which is anchored to the coupling 9 on the cover 4 and whose lower end is controlled by the safety valve ,I0 which depends from the cover 4 and is enclosed within the dome and which is shown in detail in Figure 3. Upstanding from the coupling II on the cover 4 there is a con- .ventional type of slip tube gauge I2 including the gauge rod I3 whereby the level of the liquid in the tank can be readily ascertained.

The numeral I4 designates the excess fiow line through which the excess flow, or overow, delivered to the tank may be returned to the de-4 livery truck. This line I4 is equipped with-the excess ow check valve 'I5 which depends from the coupling I6 on the cover 4. The upper end of the line I4 is normally closed by a plug I1 butis thereto The valve I5 is shown in detail in Figure 4 and is completely enclosed within the d ome The numeral I8 designates the service 'line leading to the house or to other points of utilization. This service line is connected to the coupling I9 on the cover 4 and has incorporated therein a conventional pressure regulator 20 and is also equipped with the shut off valve 2|. On the lower end of the service line and completely enclosed within the dome 2 there is an excess flow check valve 23 shown more in detail-in Figure 5.

\\The couplings 9, II, I6 and I9, as well as the coupling 24, to which the filler line 5 is connected, are all heavy couplings welded or otherwise securely attached to the cover 4.

The connections on top of the cover 4 are enclosed by means Aof a suitable hood 25 which is box-like inform and which is preferably composed of sheet metal. It is anchored to thecover 4 by means of thevbolts whereby said cover is attached to the ange 3 and the regulator is secured to one side of the hood by means of screws 26. ,-"This hood has a cover 21 thereon which completely encloses the same and may be opened for access to the interior of the hood.

It will be inoted that the controlling valves whereby the inlet of the liquid is controlled and whereby the outlet of gas from the tank is regulated, are completely enclosed and protected and bodily insertable into and removable from the dome 2 as a unit with the cover 4 The drawings and description disclose what formed for the connection of a return hose is now considered to -be a preferred form oi' the invention by fway of illustration only, while the broad principle oi.' the invention will be deilned by the appended claims.

What I claim is: Y

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a tank, a vapor dome upstanding from the tank, a. cover detachably secured to the dome, an outlet line and excess ow check valve depending from the cover andspaced substantially above the tank, a control valve and a pressure reducing valve connected to the outlet line on the upper side of the cover. an inlet line and a valve depending from the cover and a hood detachably secured to the dome enclosing said control and pressure reducing valves.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a tank, an upstanding vapor dome alamo? thereon, a removable cover enclosing the upper end of said dome, equipment comprising an outlet line and excess flow check valve depending from the cover and spaced substantially above the tank, an overflow line and excess flow check valve depending-from the cover and extending downwardly a desired distance into the tank, a ller line and valve depending from the cover and extending into the tank, a iluid level gauge extending through the cover, said equipment being removable through the dome with the cover, a control valve and a pressure reducing valve connected to the outlet line on the upper side of the cover, and a hood detachably secured to the dome and .protecting the pressure reducing and control valve.

JOHN y n. Homcm. 

